“The Original” Around The Up North Combine
Bowden Brothers, Winners of 18 x 1st Clubs and all Club Averages By Good Corn
On Friday 15th November the Skelton Green Homing Society held their 2019 presentation evening at a new venue the very popular Holey Molies, which is on the Skelton Industrial Estate. The night got under way when Andrew Wynn the husband of Jackie the Clubs very hard-working Secretary, who is always a bag of nerves until the presentation of the silverware is over. Jackie is doing a fantastic for the members who are always there to help her when needed. Andrew welcomed everyone which was around a crowd of 60 odd members, family and friends which included a number of new faces to the Clubs biggest and most important night of the year. Andrew then introduced the guest me, Hayden & Tyler, Terry Callan and partner Cath, Bill & Pam Heslop and chief guests Keith & Linda Arkless and thanked them for attending the pay-out night.
Boss & Mick Bowden receiving the “Ron Bowden Memorial Trophy” from Jackie Wynn.
Keith has flown Pigeons all his life first starting with his late father Jimmy who was a very popular and respected man. Jimmy who flew in Brotton H/S was a very knowledgeable fancier who got the best out of his birds as his racing results over a very long period of time proves. Keith's brother Stuart won 1st Up North Combine in 1970 from the Young Bird Ashford National out of an entry of 11,957 birds. Jimmy & Keith flying as Arkless & Son matched Stuart's 1970 Combine winning achievement the following year when they won 1st Up North Combine Young Bird Ashford National in 1971 when there were 11,099 birds competing. The family later formed the partnership of Arkless & Sons which brought much success and then the family went onto fly as Mr & Mrs Jimmy & Alice Arkless & sons Stuart & Keith which again turned out to be a very successful partnership. As time went on Keith married Linda with Keith forming the Loftus H/S partnership of Keith Arkless & son Matthew, with the lads going onto fly in other successful partnerships. Keith & Matty were back on their own flying as Arkless & Son when they won 1st Up North Combine Young Bird Maidstone National with “Arko's Boy” in 2010 from a convoy of 17,162 birds.
Over the 2019 racing season the Club sent a total of 3,257 birds which is down around 2,400 birds from the 2018 racing season, like most Clubs many fanciers are leaving the sport every year. A great number of Clubs has ageing members and Skelton Green is one of them and they also have members who are not in the best of health. The once very strong Club that I can remember sending 8,700 birds one season has seen the likes of Tony “Simply The Best” Bannister who is still a very big help to the Club stop racing his birds now, the not in the best of health Terry “Benno” Bennison not racing in 2019 and I believe Andy Thompson and Alan Beverly did not race much or not at all this season. Andrew & Jackie Wynn were another loft that did not race in 2019, Andrew spends a lot of time time away from home due to work commitments. Unfortunately, Derek Winspear & son Mark had being ready to do battle this season only for the lads' to leave the sport due to Derek's health. And then there was Alan Wright who left the sport after just three old bird races. All this takes its toll on any Club, but the rest of the Skelton Green members battled on the best they could with everyone clubbing together to see the season through.
Boss, Mick (Tommy Swinburne Memorial Trophy), Trevor & Tyler receiving the Club Averages from Keith Arkless.
The Skelton Green members have enjoyed great success flying in the East Cleveland Federation, winning many Federation averages over the years, they have also made their mark in the Up North Combine that was founded in 1905. The late Charlie Wardell became the first Skelton Green member to win 1st Up North Combine in 1984 from the French race point Lillers when there were 9,702 birds competing. Bainbridge & Mitchell who are no longer in the sport hit the heights in 1993 when the duo won 1st Up North Combine from the French race point Abbeville where there were 15,469 birds away. The following year the loft of Bowden Brothers Mick and the late Stan & Dave Drinkhall won 1st Up North Combine Old Bird Folkestone (2) National with “Stan's Pride” from a convoy of 20,447 birds. Three years later in 1997 the partnership achieved their second Combine Gold Medal winning performance when they won 1st Up North Combine Old Bird Folkestone (2) National with “Julie” out of an entry of 25.199 birds. Bill Chapman & sons Steve & Colin and the late but never forgotten Tommy Swinburne hit the limelight in 2004 when they won 1st Up North Combine Young Bird Maidstone National with “Tommy's Dream” when there were 14,753 birds competing. The lads' did not have to wait long before they hit Gold for the second time because that came a year later in 2005 when they won 1st Up North Combine Old Bird Folkestone (2) National with “Blackpool Magic” from a convoy of 17,234 birds.
More success came the Clubs way in 2012 when Ian “Evo” Everington won 1st Up North Combine Old Bird Folkestone (2) National with “Evo's Lad” out of an entry of 15,855 birds. After leaving the Club 2 to 3 years ago Evo helped out at the loft of the Brotton partnership of Mr & Mrs Peirson & Purver, after leaving his mark and more so from the channel Evo and his helper Frankie Roland went onto join Dormanstown who are part of the North Yorks Federation to race their young birds this season. Evo & Frankie might not have the best loft location in the Club but given time Evo & Frankie will show their true colours, and more so from the channel as I rate the very hard-working Evo as a top channel flyer, his pigeon knowledge and good Pigeons will win through. The loft of Jack Weldon & son John headed by John were the second Skelton Green loft to top the Combine charts in 2012 after winning 1st Up North Combine Lillers (2) with “Brian” when there were 11,875 birds away. John first flew in partnership with his wife Hazel when he came to live in Skelton and later flew as Bowden Brothers & Weldon but is now flying in the Rectory Lane H/S in the North Yorks Federation. Bowden Brothers Mick & Boss and helper Trevor Mitchell were the latest Skelton Green fanciers to hit the Gold Medal trail in 2018 when the lads' won 1st Up North Combine from the Belgian race point Ypres with “Brexit” from a convoy of 8,775 birds.
Eion Richardson and grandson Jack receiving the Young Bird Bubwith (3) Trophy from Keith
I look back to the first time I attended the Clubs presentation night 20 odd years ago right the way through to the present day and remember the lads' who have passed away in that time. We have lost both Stan & Ron Bowden, there was never a dull moment with Stan, I knew him from a very early age when he used to come to Skinningrove. As for Stan's brother Ron he could joke on with the rest of them, I first came across Ron when he flew as Bowden & Slater until his partner passed away. Tommy Swinburne who was a great help to the Club with the weekly tote double draw which brought a lot of revenue into the Club. Stan Clements driving around in his three-wheeler car and who can forget the pipe smoking, woolly hat wearing Sye Thompson who was as dry and a summers day. And what about Tony Calvert who always had a smile on his face, laughing and cracking jokes. How can I leave Chum Bonas out who flew in partnership with his son Duncan, what a nice man Chum was. Each and every one of them greatly missed but always remembered for who they were, good people of the sport who are impossible to replace.
The Club has also seen fanciers leaving the sport in that time, the likes of Renty Shaw whose family raced in Brotton H/S many years ago, Renty who later moved to Skelton went into partnership with Andrew Wynn for a while where they flew a good Pigeon. Then there was Bill Dowey who was Club Secretary for a great number of years and got a lot of help from his wife Sheila who was born in the same Skinningrove village I was born. Bill who flew Pigeons both on his own in Skinningrove and also in partnership with Sheila's two brothers Raymond & Tom. Bill who is not always in the best of health is still holding down the post as the East Cleveland Federation Secretary. Trevor Crawford who spent that much time at work he had to get Mike “The Fireman” Johnson in to help out at the loft. And then there was Bob Taylor a small team back garden loft flyer and Rod Tomlinson who joined the Club from Boosbeck and flew a small team to his home back garden. And then there was Charlie Featherstone who was an absolute knock-out, I can remember Charlie always being at Skinningrove when I was a schoolboy. Charlie was always calling at the loft of the late Billy “Drummer” Wilson who worked we Charlie on an ICI plant on the Wilton site. Charlie would always have his little dog with him, and always called for a couple of beers in Skinningrove WMC before going back to Skelton. Them days have long gone but the happy memories will never fade. Charlie went into partnership with Tony Bannister for a while and after Charlie left the sport Col Robinson who was flying on his own at the time teamed up with Tony. Brian Williams, David Briggs and the partnership of Jackie Bowden & Terry Treloar have all left the sport now, plenty of fanciers leaving the sport but very, very few coming in.
Tyler & Hayden presenting the B & K Simpson Most Points Without A Win Trophy to Tristan.
Back with Andrew who gave thanks to Club Chairman and Chief Show organiser Tony Bannister who was unwell so was unable to attend the pay-out night and what a big miss he was, I wish Tony who is the top raffle ticket seller the very best of health. Alan Beverly & Torch who undertake the caretaker job between them. Jackie Williams for the stationary she donates to the Club every year. Mick Bowden for providing the transport at Combine basketing and finally Andrew's wife Jackie for the fantastic job she does throughout the season. After the presentation solo artist Jamie T took to the stage to sing a number of hit songs from various years and what a job the Guisborough lad did. This was followed by the fantastic Buffet which included Curry & Rice, once everyone had enjoyed their food it was time for Jamie T to perform his second spot which was as good as the first time, he hit the stage with a number taking to the dance floor. Another brilliant night was enjoyed by all, I wish to thank the members for inviting Hayden, Tyler & myself along, thank you all.
Now for the prize-winners starting with ex Lingdale member Terry Stonehouse who has flown in Skelton Green a couple of years now being the scorer of 1 x 2nd and 1 x 4th Club winning the B & K Simpson Most Points Without A Win Trophy with 8pts. Terry's first points were netted at Roye when he timed a 3y blue De-Raw Sablon cross hen to notch up 4th Club, Terry and loft helper Tristan were back in the points from young bird Bubwith (2) when a notable 2nd Club was chalked up.
Hayden & Tyler with the top performing singer Jamie T.
Alan Wright has been racing Pigeons for a great number of years with Alan being a force when he flew in Brotton H/S winning her share of races, averages and Federation wins. Alan's success in his Brotton H/S days saw him win a brilliant 1st Club, 2nd Federation, 2nd Section and 2nd Up North Combine Old Bird Folkestone National in 1987 winning a Combine Silver Medal from a convoy of 24,644 birds. In the very same year Alan won an outstanding 1st Club, 2nd Federation, 2nd Section and 2nd Up North Combine Young Bird Harlow National winning a Combine Silver Medal out of an entry of 20,081 birds. In 1990 Alan won an outstanding 1st and 2nd Club, 2nd and 3rd Federation, 2nd and 3rd Section and 2nd and 3rd Up North Combine Young Bird Harlow National winning a Combine Silver and Bronze Medal when there were 20,618 birds competing.
In 1993 Alan won the Up North Combine Channel Average, with all Alan's performances being outstanding achievements. Alan later flew in the partnership of Alan & David Wright up until 2018 where the two lads enjoyed much success when flying together in Skelton Green with the duo winning numerous of races and Club averages along the way. 2019 saw Alan flying on his own again where he won 1 x 1st, 2 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd, 1 x 5th, 2 x 6th and 24pts with him getting off to a great start from Bubwith the first old bird race of the season after timing no fewer than five unflown yearling cocks to win a cracking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Club, 9th, 10th and 13th Federation when 52 members sent 1,281 birds. The following week when the birds were at the Newark Showground 6th Club was notched up and then a week later when the birds were at Oakham (1) another single bird was timed to chalk up 2nd Club.
Hayden & Tyler presenting the “Carole Simpson Memorial Trophy to Trevor Mitchell.
Eion Richardson who has not being in the best of health this season was the winner of 2 x 1st, 1 x 3rd, 1 x 4th, 2 x 5th, 2 x 6th and 25pts with Ian's top performance of his racing season being achieved from the second channel race Roye from a distance of 371 miles where a couple of birds were timed to win a cracking 1st and 5th Club. With Ian's pole position winning 2y blue pied hen bred by Kevin & Merv Brown & Sacker “Bill” Cole of Brotton winning a brilliant 2nd Federation from a 49 members muster of 495 birds and 62nd Up North Combine from a convoy of 6,476 birds, while Ian's second timer was a 2017 bred chequer hen of the old Busschaert lines. The North of England Homing Union Centenary 2 Bird Brighton Race was held on the same weekend as the Roye race. Eion won 1st Club, 10th Federation with Bowden Brother Mick & Boss and Trevor Mitchell taking 2nd Club, 12th Federation, while Des Williams and loft helpers Roger Wall & Terry Simpson netting 3rd Club, 19th Federation. Onto the young birds where Ian hit the winners' enclosure at young bird Bubwith (3) where he won 1st, 3rd and 6th Club and this was followed up by netting 4th, 5th and 6th Club a week later from Wakefield.
Tommy Welford is another Club member who has not being in the best of health this season but Tommy managed to compete with him winning 1 x 1st, 2 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd, 1 x 4th, 2 x 5th and 27pts, Tommy also won the Young Bird Of The Year with a total of 11pts. Tommy claimed 5th Club out of young bird Bubwith (1) and then chalked up 2nd, 4th and 5th Club from Bubwith (3). Tommy followed that up a week later by timing three of his youngsters to win 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club Wakefield the final race of the 2019 racing season. Tommy's Young Bird of The Year winner scored three times chalking up 5th Club Bubwith (1), 4th Club Bubwith (3) and 2nd Club Wakefield. Tommy had plenty of support from his family at the presentation evening with big cheers echoing around the room when Tommy took to the floor to receive his trophy's which is always good to see. After cheering Tommy on the girls really enjoyed themselves up on the dance floor, which is what it's all about.
Mick Bowden of Bowden Brothers, winners of the “Carole Simpson Memorial Trophy” for the Best Average from the two Old Bird Inland Nationals.
The loft of Des Williams and his helpers Roger Wall & Terry “Torch” Simpson were the winners of 1 x 1st, 1 x 2nd, 4 x 3rd, 2 x 4th, 2 x 5th, 2 x 6th and 39pts which is an improvement on the previous year’s points tally. The lads' were in the points from day one after taking 4th Club, 28th Federation old bird Bubwith with a yearling Frans Van Wildemeersch and a week later when the birds were at the Newark Showground, they timed a 2y Busschaert cock to notch up 5th Club. Des, Roger & Torch were in the points from the Folkestone (1) National after clocking a yearling Busschaert to chalk up a useful 3rd Club, 13th Federation and then the boys took 5th Club, 24th Federation Ypres with a 2018 bred grizzle Busschaert hen. Moving onto Roye where Des, Roger & Torch had a couple of their channel entries on the clock to net a helpful 3rd and 6th Club, with the green card potter being a 2y Busschaert hen and she was followed by a 1y blue hen through Anth Moore birds. Des, Roger & Torch got off to a winning start at the first young bird race out of Bubwith (1) when they had five youngsters on the clock to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club. The first three babies on the clock were timed in the space of 58 seconds to go onto net 20th, 21st and 26th Federation from a 47 members entry of 1,354 birds. The lads had a single bird on the clock a week later out of Bubwith (2) to pocket 3rd Club, I'm sure Des, Roger & Torch will be looking forward to the 2020 racing season in the hope they can continue improving on their racing performances.
The long established partnership of Bill Chapman, sons Steve & Colin and the late Tommy Swinburne have enjoyed much success over the years winning numerous races, Club averages, 1st Federations and Federation averages were the Clubs second highest prizewinners winning 3 x 1st, 3 x 2nd, 3 x 3rd, 6 x 4th, 3 x 5th and 4 x 6th Clubs. Bill, Steve & Colin were R/U Old Bird Inland Average with 27pts, R/U Channel Average with 10pts, R/U Old Bird Combined Average with 37pts, R/U Young Bird Average with 41pts and R/U Overall Combined Average with a total of 78pts which was 20pts more than the lads' scored in 2018. The partnerships first chalk of the season came at the second old bird race the Newark Showground when they timed a 2y dark chequer Wildemeersch hen to lift 4th Club, 17th Federation. And this was followed up by taking 4th Club Chelmsford (1) with the lads yellow card potter being a 3y blue cock the previous scorer of 2nd Club, 3rd Fed, 4th Section and 17th UNC Ypres in 2018 from a convoy of 8,775 birds.
Bowden Brothers Superstar “Mitch” winner of the Club Inland, Channel and Overall Bird Of The Year. The East Cleveland Federation Bird Of The Year and the North Of England Homing Union Ace Middle Distance Champion for 2019.
The following week when the birds were at the Folkestone (1) National 6th Club was netted by a 2017 bred dark Frans Van Wildemeersch hen and a week later when the birds were at Oakham (3) 5th Club was potted, with the lads taking 5th Club again out of the Newark Showground. Onto Huntingdon (1) where Bill, Steve & Colin recorded their first old bird win of the season after timing a couple of their entries to win a cracking 1st and 3rd Club with the pole position winning yearling blue Wildemeersch hen who topped the Club charts by three minutes going onto score 14th Federation out of a 46 members entry of 940 birds, while the lads green card scorer was a 3y chequer Soontjen hen. The following week when the birds were at Huntingdon (2) the trio netted a useful 2nd Club and followed that up by taking 6th Club out of Chelmsford (2) .The boys returned to the frame out of Burbure where they had no less than three of their over the pond entries in the frame to lift a useful 2nd, 4th and 5th Club, 8th, 30th and 38th Federation with Bill, Steve & Colin's blue card scorer going onto chalk up a nice 92nd Up North Combine.
Bill, Steve & Colin had not competed in any young birds for the past couple of years, but they were always very well trained throughout the summer months to gain some experience when flown as yearlings. But this year the lads' did race their youngsters down to the Maidstone National with their first young bird points coming at Newark Showground when a single bird was timed to notch up 6th Club. A week later when the birds were at Oakham (1) a couple of their entries were on the clock to lift 4th and 6th Club with the yellow card potter going onto notch up 17th Federation. Bill, Steve & Colin were in the points for the third race running when they had two more babies in the frame at Oakham (2) to net a nice 2nd and 3rd Club. Bill, Steve & Colin hit the winners' enclosure the following week from the very had Chelmsford race when they won a belting 1st, 3rd and 4th Club when their pole position winning youngster that topped the Club charts by 5 minutes to record a vel of 1143 going onto score an impressive 7th Federation from a 31 members muster of 871 birds, while the green card potter took 17th Federation. Bill, Steve & Colin hit top spot again a week later when the birds were at the Maidstone National when they won a very impressive 1st, 2nd and 4th Club with their red card winner that was 4 minutes in front of its blue card scoring loft mate going onto chalk up 7th Federation when 41 members sent 851 birds and 104th Up North Combine from a convoy of 9,020 birds. While the home-bred blue card lifter that took 34th Federation was their own Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer that took 6th in the event to bank all the £700 prize money.
Roger Wall & Des Williams winners of 1 x 1st, 1 x 2nd, 4 x 3rd, 2 x 4th, 2 x 5th and 2 x 6th Clubs.
The Skelton Green H/S Top Prizewinners for the second-year running was the loft of Bowden Brothers, Mick & Boss and the most helpful Trevor Mitchell of Guisborough, with the lads' winning an earth-shattering 18 x 1st, 16 x 2nd, 16 x 3rd, 15 x 4th, 16th x 5th, 16 x 6th Clubs. Mick, Boss & Trevor were also the winners of the Old Bird Inland Average with 234pts, the Channel Average with 35pts, the Old Bird Combined Average with 269pts, the Young Bird Average with 76pts and winners of the Overall Combined Average with a massive 345pts which was 93pts more than the lads' achieved in 2018. Mick, Boss & Trevor's trophy haul never stopped there for they also won the “Ron “Bonzo” Bowden Memorial Trophy” Most Points Any Discipline and the “Carole Simpson Memorial Trophy” for the Best Average from the two Old Bird Inland Nationals. Also the winners of the Inland Bird Of The year with 29pts, Channel Bird Of The Year with 10pts and Overall Bird Of The Year with 39pts with all three titles being won by a Top Class bird named “Mitch” who was also the winner of the East Cleveland Federation Bird Of The Year with a staggering 109pts and the North Of England Homing Union Ace Middle Distance Champion for 2019. Just for the record “Mitch” won the Skelton Green Bird of The Year in 2018, a brilliant racing cock at just 2 years old.
Mick, Boss & Trevor never competed from the first old bird race of the 2019 racing season from the 51 miles race Bubwith, so it was all systems go a week later out of the 101 miles race Newark Showground where three of the lads' entries were on the clock to win a cracking 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 3rd, 5th (Mitch) and 7th Federation from a 68 members entry of 1,767 birds. The boys made it two wins out of two from Oakham (1) from a distance of 130 miles when five of their entries were timed to win an awesome 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club with their red card winner achieving a useful 7th Federation out of a 73 members muster of 1,937 birds. The partnership racked up a hat-trick of wins at the fourth race Oakham (2) after no less than six of their team were clocked to win an impressive 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 5th, 6th and 12th Federation from a 64 members convoy of 1,632 birds. The lads' were up and at them again the following week when the birds were at Chelmsford (1) a distance of 202 miles when they recorded their fourth win on the bounce after clocking five of their inform team to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Club with the chart-topper going onto lift 7th Federation from a 64 members entry of 1,536 birds.
Keith presenting Silverware to Steve & Colin Chapman of Chapman, Sons & Swinburne.
After winning four races from four starts Mick, Boss & Trevor recorded their fifth straight win from the 255 miles race Folkestone (1) National when the boys timed four birds to win a notable 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Club with the pole position winning “Mitch” netting a cracking 3rd Federation when 57 members sent 1,041 birds. while the well-fancied blue card potter lifted 8th Federation, winning 1st £1, £2, £5 Fed Noms banking £142.00. The following week when the birds were at Oakham (3) the three lads won a cracking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club to chalk up their sixth win on the trot, with their red card winner notching up 20th Federation from 63 members muster of 1,350 birds. Now onto the first channel race Ypres from a distance of 302 miles where Mick, Boss & Trevor racked up their seventh consecutive win after clocking no fewer than five of their channel entries to win a belting 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, 7th, 10th and 16th (Mitch) Federation out of a 61 members entry of 883 birds, 82nd, 110th and 201st Up North Combine from a convoy of 12,403 birds. There was no stopping the inform Mick, Boss & Trevor for the lads' recorded their eighth consecutive win from Newark Cattle Market (1) from a distance of 102 miles to win a notable 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, with the red card winner claiming 20th Federation when 52 members sent 931 birds. Moving onto the second channel race Roye when the boys had a single bird on the clock to pocket a notable 2nd Club, 3rd Federation and 90th Up North Combine.
The birds were back on English soil at Huntingdon (1) when Mick, Boss & Trevor timed four birds to notch up a useful 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club The lads' returned to their winning ways a week later at Huntingdon (2) when five birds were on the clock to win a very good 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club with the red card winner chalking up 11th Federation out of a 56 members entry of 1,220 birds. I have to apologise to Mick, Boss & Trevor on a mistake I made in my East Cleveland Federation presentation evening report, as I said the lads' were out of the Federation points at Huntingdon (2), sorry about that lads'. The next inland race was from Chelmsford (2) where the boys timed five birds to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club with their first three timers that were clocked within 8 seconds going onto to chalk up a very impressive 3rd, 4th and 5th (Mitch) Federation when 61 members sent 1,156 birds, while the yellow card lifter claimed 14th Federation. Yet another winning performance was well and truly earned out of the Folkestone (2) National when the three lads' won an impressive 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, with their chart-topper going onto pot a very impressive 2nd Federation out of a 47 members entry of 789 birds and a brilliant 9th Up North Combine from a convoy of 11,493 birds.
Keith presenting the Young Bird Wakefield Trophy to the Young Bird Of The Year winning Tommy Welford.
Mick, Boss & Trevor recorded another clean sweep at Newark Cattle Market (2) when their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club winners went onto win an awesome 1st, 4th (Mitch), 5th, 7th and 12th Federation from 43 members muster of 891 birds. The lads' pumped up the volume again when they achieved a full house for the third race running out of Oakham (4) when Mick, Boss & Trevor won a fantastic 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, when the Top Class pole position winning “Mitch” going onto chalk up 4th Federation when 46 members sent 850 birds. Mick, Boss & Trevor's outstanding old bird season got even better from Burbure the final channel race and old bird race of the season after they timed three of their inform team to win a cracking 1st, 3rd and 6th Club to record an astonishing fourteenth Club win from 16 races. The red and green card scorers went onto chalk up an impressive 1st and 3th Federation out of a 43 members entry of 578 birds. With the Federation winner been no other than the well-fancied 2y blue Van Loon cock “Mitch” who would grace any loft in the World winning the 1st £1, £2, £5 Fed Noms pocketing £147.00, winning £370.00 in the JPS Nom and 2nd Up North Combine winning a Combine Silver Medal from a convoy of 8,025 birds to round of an outstanding old bird season both inland and from over the channel.
Next stop is the young birds where Mick, Boss & Trevor never sent to the first race out of Bubwith (1) but they did compete the following week from Bubwith (2) when they timed no less than four of their youngsters to win 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th Club. Young bird win number two on the belt was chalked up at Newark Showground when no less than five birds were timed to win a very good 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 23rd, 25th, 28th and 38th Federation when 65 members sent 2,144 birds. The inform Mick, Boss & Trevor achieved a hat-trick of young birds wins at Oakham after the lads' had another five babies on the clock to win a notable 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 9th, 10th and 12th Federation from 55 members muster of 1,304 birds. It was much the same the following race when four birds were in the frame to win 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th Club to chalk up their fourth young bird win and their eighteenth win of the season. The next race was from Chelmsford where the boys had a trio of birds on the clock to lift 2nd, 5th and 6th Club, with the blue card scoring youngster going onto net 13th Federation. Mick, Boss & Trevor's final race of the 2019 racing season was from the seventh of nine young bird races which was from the Maidstone National where three more youngsters were timed to pot 3rd, 5th and 6th Club to round off an outstanding season which Mick, Boss & Trevor are going to remember for a very long time.
I have known Mick for a very long time with us visiting each other’s lofts many times over the years and I have to say Mick is one of the most competitive fanciers I have ever come across. Mick flew a good Pigeon with his late brother Stan and later won Club and Federation averages with Dave Drinkhall which included 2 x 1st Up North Combines. Mick's success continued when he teamed up with John Weldon and now the Bowden Brothers Mick & Boss with the help of Trevor Mitchell have enjoyed even more success at Club, Federation and Up North Combine level. I have said before and I will say it again and no disrespect to any of the members, even though the racing in Skelton Green has not being as competitive this season as it has being in the past Mike, Boss & Trevor have excelled this season being R/U Old Bird Inland Average, R/U Channel Average and winners of the Old Bird Combined Average in the East Cleveland Federation. And let’s not forget their 1st Club, 2nd Federation and 9th Up North Combine Folkestone (2) National from 11,493 birds and their 1st Club, 1st Federation and 2nd Up North Combine Burbure winning a Combine Silver Medal from a convoy of 8,025 birds. Add the Superstar top-class performances of “Mitch” to this seasons achievements where he won all three Club Bird Of The Year Titles, The East Cleveland Federation Bird Of The Year by a whacking 58pts and the North Of England Homing Union Ace Middle Distance Champion to Mick, Boss & Trevor's achievements what more can be said? Well done and very well-deserved lads' it has being a pleasure writing about you throughout the 2019 racing season. I with the members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and all the very best of health for 2020.
The Roy “Chubby” Brown Show Race that is open to the North Yorks Federation and East Cleveland Federation (Section 7 Up North Combine) will be held on Saturday 4th January 2020 at the Redcar Citizens & Priory Club, Lord Street Redcar TS10 3BP. Penning 11am to 12.30pm with an entry fee of £20.00 for 4 birds any age, a minimum of 1 bird to be in the show pen. Race to take place for Burbure (1) or the substitute Combine race for that weekend. Show prize money £20, £10, £5. Race prize money is split 60% - %25 15% of the remaining, all money is paid out in prize money. Free parking in Fisherman's Square car park, 100 yards from the venue. Any enquiries to Ged Hampson 01642 484398.
Well that's me done for this time. Any news to Good Corn 6 Boulby Drive Loftus Saltburn Cleveland TS13 4JN. Tel: 01287 643624 or Email
